Wild Nature
December 2000/January 2001
78/12  and 79/1
English Language Version of Dzikie Zycie


Slovaks Protest at Pilsko Mountain or "Psychopaths Destroy  Cables"

Recently in Dzikie -ycie (Wild Nature), we wrote about the destruction of
top soil by ski development on Pilsko Mountain (southern Poland).  We also
wrote about the illegality of this ski lift operation and the great
destruction along route number 5.
Tourists returning from Pilsko on October 28 informed the staff at
Pracownia (Workshop for All Beings) that they had seen painted slogans,
posters, and leaflets on the highest lift.  The only additional information
we were able to find out was that the writing on these signs was in Slovak.
To us it is obvious that this manifestation was undertaken by Slovak
defenders of nature, underscoring the international aspect of the
destruction of this mountain which stands on the Polish-Slovak border.  On
the Slovak side, the mountain and the surrounding area is under strict
protection.  While the mountain is also theoretically under protection in
Poland as well, the Gliwice Tourist Agency (Gliwicka Agencja Turystyczna)
illegally constructed a ski slope on this site.  Despite the fact that
Polish environmentalists won a court case against the agency, in which they
demonstrated the illegality of the ski operation, the ski slopes continue to
operate unhindered by local authorities.
Two weeks after the appearance of the Slovak signs of protest, a further
event occurred on this site which reverberated loudly in the Polish media.
Near the village of Korbelów--where the ski slope lies--six of the eight ski
lift cables had been effectively destroyed.  A group of unknown individuals
cut the cables in a very "professional" manner.  According to the Gazeta
Wyborcza (a major Polish daily), among the suspects are "the competition,
psychopaths, or vengeful individuals."  The cutting of these lines makes
repairs unlikely in the near future.  The manner in which the cables were
cut makes it necessary to replace the whole cable line, and this is not a
simple matter, the cables stretched twelve kilometers, making the cost of
damages approximately 500,000 Polish z3oty (roughly $125,500).  In addition
to this sum, one also has to consider the projected losses to local
craftspeople, as well as hotel, bed and breakfast, and restaurant owners,
making this a blow to the whole of the regional economy. 
Gazeta Wyborcza writes that, "the police and their dogs were called to the
site of the incident, however they were not able to pick up a trail."  The
Gliwice Tourist Agency (the owners of the illegal ski slope) have announced
a 50,000 z3oty award for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.

Pracownia (Workshop for All Beings) is currently preparing a more extensive
report on the situation at Pilsko Mountain.               
******

Polish Greens--A Collective Voice in Defense of Nature: the Signing of an
Agreement on Wild Nature

On November 11, 2000, the signatories of  the "Agreement on Wild Nature" met
in Bielsko-Bia3a with the goal of discussing the present situation of nature
protection in Poland.  The following text was sent to the Minister of the
Environment, politicians, and the media:

· The signatories of "The Agreement on Wild Nature" protest against the
misguided plans outlined by present political policy on nature protection.
According to a recent opinion poll by the Center for Public Opinion Research
(Centrum Badania Opinii Spo3ecznej) this policy runs counter to the
expectations of most Poles.  We were most alarmed by the environmental
minister's recent comments cited in the press on the subject of national
parks and the mercantile treatment of nature.     
·  Nature is the highest form of our national heritage and common good; it
has intrinsic value and is important to the well-being of us all.  The
national government cannot run away from its responsibility to protect our
common interest in nature, especially with regard to our national parks.  By
handing over the matter of maintaining national parks to local government or
liquidating them altogether, the national government is shirking its
responsibilities to its citizens.  
·  Proposed new legislation on nature protection would turn over this task
to local government.  This arrangement runs counter to the notion of
democracy and to the concept of nature protection as a component of
protecting the common good.
·  Local government has the responsibility to offer advice on specific
matters, however it is the role of the national government to develop a
general strategy regarding nature protection for the country.  Adequate
financial resources must be provided for nature protection programs, as well
as for compensation to local communities to aid in the goal of environmental
protection.  It is not permissible to withhold funds at the cost of the
environment.  
·   The signatories of the above agreement protest against the position
expressed by the Senate Environmental Protection committee (announced on
October 4, 2000) that several protected species be excluded from further
protection.  These species include the wolf, goshawk, marsh harrier, and the
buzzard, in addition to many others.  We are also alarmed by the section of
the proposal that calls for reducing certain species of wild animal that
threaten the well-being and security of people.  People are a part of nature
and are not threatened by it.  Such proposed changes in legislation have
been provoked by conflicts caused by people engaged in illegitimate economic
development and violations of the laws protecting nature.   We should look
for ways to resolve these conflicts other than the short-sighted plan to
reduce certain species.
·  We request all those for whom wilderness is dear to publicly express
their protest against the present policy of the Polish government.  We are
particularly outraged by the arrogance of the parliament in its decision to
weaken the national park system without consulting the public or relevant
organizations (such as national park administrative bodies, scientific
councils, and environmental nonprofits).
·  We also demand full respect of laws governing nature protection, by all
members of society.  Certain instances of violations are closely related to
our discussion of national parks; for example, one "agreement" made by the
environmental minister outlining the future of the Tatra National Park
violates several Polish and international laws.  Such violations also affect
other protected natural areas--despite a decision by a regional court
declaring it illegal, a ski slope continues to operate on Pilsko Mountain in
southern Poland.  Gross violations also occur on a more general level,
despite the ban on the farming of wild animals in Poland (with the exception
of the pheasant), the courts allowed the Society of Deer Farmers to register
itself as a legitimate organization.  One could list endlessly the instances
of flagrant violations of environmental law in Poland, and unfortunately new
cases occur every day.   
******

The  Position of  the Polish Senate Commission on Nature Protection and the
Threat to Biodiversity


On April 27, 2000 the Senate Commission on Nature Protection heard the
opinions of experts and the position of environmental ministry
representatives that the populations of certain species are rapidly
expanding and taking over the country. 
The commission is concerned about maintaining the delicate balance between
nature and the needs of society, especially what it described as a tendency
of certain species' populations to increase in recent years, in the process
causing negative social and economic consequences.  The commission has
turned to the Ministry of Environment to request legislative changes that
would make it possible for individuals and organizations to react in a more
"elastic" fashion with regard to local problems involving wild animals,
while at the same time maintaining biodiversity and shortening court
processes with regard to such matters.  We also look to nongovernmental
organizations for guidance due to their extensive experience, resources, and
possibilities for participation in the area of nature protection. 

The Senate Nature Protection Committee proposes the following changes:

- Removal of the cormorant from the Polish Red Book of endangered species,
introducing the possibility of reducing its numbers.
- Allowing a nation-wide reduction in the populations of birds of the
Corvidae family (including ravens, rooks, and crows) by ending their legal
protection.
- Allowing a nation-wide reduction in the numbers of goshawk, marsh harrier,
and common buzzard by ending their legal protection.
- Allowing a reduction in the beaver population in areas where its numbers
have grown excessive.
-  Allowing opportunities to reduce the numbers of American mink and raccoon
dog by adding them to the list of animals that may be legally hunted.
-  Lengthening the hunting season of the fox, ending the protection of
species (threatened with extinction) in nature reserves and on lands used to
raise animals.
-  Returning to a more manageable wolf population by restoring the species
to the list of legally hunted animals in Poland.
-  Allowing a reduction in the numbers of homeless dogs and cats, as well as
wild animals (especially those which are rare), that threaten human health
and safety.

The possibility exists to carry out most of these proposals in the near
future, based on planned legislative changes in the protection of animal
species, as well as revisions in the list of species which can be legally
hunted and in lengthening the hunting season for other animals.

Address of the Senate Commission on Nature Protection:

Senate Commission on Nature Protection
ul. Wiejska 6
00-902 Warszawa
POLAND
fax: (48-22) 694-16-39
email: kos@nw.senat.gov.pl  
     
*****

Motorcross in the Mountains

If any of our readers were in the mountains around Bialsko-Bia3a this year,
then they must have heard the sound of engines revving either in the
distance or closeby.  A new "sport" has developed in our mountains.  It
entails riding motorcross bikes on hiking trails, roads, but also off-trail
riding, directly through the woods; they are able to go everywhere--thanks
to their engines.   They are mainly motorcross drivers--that we know.
Bielsko has a strong motorcross club, and so we also have an abundance of
people who love to ride in the mountains.  On every nice day, often until
dusk, and often reaching the summits of local mountains (Szyndzielnia,
Klimczok, Trzech Kopców, Margurka and Przegibka) motorcross riders tear
throughout the forests.  Isn't this illegal? Who cares!  Who is going to
catch a motorcross driver tearing through the woods?  We should add that
they do not have registered license plates.  The Bielsko Forest District has
only three forest rangers.  They are at a loss.  Once one of them saw a
motorcross cyclist and tried to stop him; the rider revved up his engine and
headed straight at the ranger. 
According to the head of the local police, they don't have the people or
the resources to patrol mountain roads.  The Bielsko city police are busy
writing parking tickets, they are certainly not going to start roaming
around the mountains.  There is also the problem of how to stop a motorcross
cyclist without causing him injury.  The phenomenon of motorcross in the
mountains continues to increase and has already become trendy in the region.
The motorcross cyclists have competition from drivers of four-wheelers which
can be rented locally and in other areas, but their drivers are not as
insolent as the motorcross riders.
And what about cars, you might ask? Of course, motorists also drive their
cars illegally in the mountains.  It would be a shame to spend so much money
on an expensive sports utility vehicle and then only drive it on city
streets.  SUV competitions are held in the Bieszczad and Beskid Mountains
(including in the Bielsko-Bia3a area).  Such competitions are always
illegal.  The Bielsko Forest District filed a complaint with the police
regarding a two-day SUV competition (its participants were mainly from
LódY).  It took place in the Bystra Forest the last weekend of August.  The
owners of this amazing technology evaded a forest ranger who tried to stop
them.  Telewizja Katowice included news about the competition in their local
sports report (Was this a good idea?).
Pracownia na rzecz wszyskich istot (the Workshop for All Beings) received
several phone calls in September and October from local people stating that
they had seen "kids" in
SUV's ripping up the turf in forest meadows near Przgibka.  As is the case
in Szczyrek and Brenna, young idiots (it's difficult to describe them any
other way) tear along hiking trails with their vehicles.  We can only warn
tourists that if you are seeking peaceful contact with nature, avoid the
Bielsko-Bia3a area.
And so, what can we do about this?  Teachers, young people, and hikers are
calling the forest district, the Workshop for All Beings, and the city
government, complaining about the presence of these vehicles in the
mountains.  Each year from spring until late fall motorcross cyclists and
owners of SUV's drive illegally in the mountains (and in the winter we must
contend with snowmobiles!).  Maybe some of our readers have suggestions
about how to resolve this situation.  Can such flagrant violations of the
law, as well as arrogance and disregard for others visiting the forests go
unpunished?
We have one suggestion: write and telephone the local Motorcross Club:
Beskidzki Klub Motorowy
ul. Zywiecka 67
43-300 Bielsko-Biala
Poland        

In the end it is the clubs that cultivate the competitions which require
riding through the forests, and therefore, they carry the moral
responsibility for the behavior of brainless youths and their roaring
engines.  Have you encountered a similar problem in your area?

Just in: As a result of complaints, the Bielsko police have been provided
with two noiseless motor bikes in order to patrol the mountains.
*****

More and More or Less and less: Reflections on Crucifixes in the Polish
Countryside (Summary)
Remigiusz Oraska

Remigiusz Oraska reflects on the decline of small roadside shrines (usually
in the form of crucifixes or statues of the Virgin Mary).  Increasingly,
such shrines are falling into disrepair from neglect.  He laments the
passing of this form of devotion and acknowledges its importance as a
traditional art form throughout Poland, but particularly in the northeast
region of the country (Polish Lithuanians are well-known for their artistry
with regard to small shrines). 
At the same time, Oraska notes that there is an increasing tendency in
Poland for people to plant disproportionately huge crosses on the tops of
hills and mountains.  He speculates that this is in an attempt to tame those
places where people feel threatened by nature.  The author wonders if this
shifting in the placement and size of shrines and crucifixes might be a
reflection of Poles increasing detachment from nature and their own
spirituality.   

*****
Seals Sing on the Baltic
Marek Styczynski

1. I Had a Strange Dream --I Was Swimming with Porpoises

The Baltic porpoise is often overlooked when we think about endangered
predators in Poland.  Nevertheless, this porpoise is listed along with the
wolf, the forest marten and the ermine among Poland's endangered predators;
there remain only a few individuals in the Baltic.
What First appeared as a passing curiosity in the Baltic porpoise developed
into something much larger for me.  I began to imagine what it must have
been like during a time when parents took their children to the square in
Hel to watch the porpoises.  There was also a time, not even that long ago
when one could see seals on the beach at Hel.  I began looking for traces of
these animals in Polish culture.  Not surprisingly, and not for the First
time it appeared that the fate of people had turned out to be similar to the
fate of animals.  There are very few porpoises and seals left in the Baltic
and the ancient indigenous tribes have also disappeared from the banks of
northern Poland.   Kashubians still exist as an ethnic group, but with they
seem to have little interest in porpoises.  The lack of interest Kashubians
seem to have regarding these animals may be the result of the fact that
during the interwar period, a high premium existed for seal and porpoise
skins.  Widespread hunting during this period and our subsequent poisoning
of the Baltic, has led to a situation, where despite legal protection, the
Baltic porpoise now has almost nowhere to live. 
In an effort to make use of this information we formed a small group called
Projekt Morswin (The Porpoise Project).  Our organization is primarily
concerned with unconventional forms of education about porpoises and seals.
This group is not intended to take the place of research centers for these
animals which have already been in existence for many years.
We presented our project to many institutions, but only the newsletter
"Echo I my" and one national park expressed any interest.  As with our
campaign to protect the badger, those people who were in a position to help
us the most were not interested.   We shelved the project, and during this
time I discovered my own connection to the Baltic, strange enough for
someone from the mountains . . . but it looked as if this was the end of our
porpoise project.  However, we later discovered that this project was
actually a harbinger of things to come.  We often do not realize the
importance of certain events in our lives until later.  

The Porpoise Project: Art, Fun, and Education

Cetaceans include whales, dolphins, and porpoises.  The distinctions
between the three are based on body size.  One of the most well-known kinds
of whale, measures around 30 meters.  The Bottlenose Dolphin is 8-9 meters.
The Baltic Porpoise is about two meters long.  We know ? Whales and
dolphins, but what about their relatives the porpoise?  How many people in
Poland know that members of the cetacean family live in "our sea"? 
The porpoise is the smallest representative of the cetacean family and the
only one living in the Baltic.  It is a highly endangered species of mammal.
Its decline is attributed to high levels of pollution in the Baltic Sea, the
miniaturization of the region, extensive hunts undertaken during the
interwar years.  Porpoises prefer coastal waters, for example areas where
rivers run into the sea.  Their young are born and raised underwater in sea
meadows, like those at Pucki Bay.  Scientists involved in protecting and
monitoring the Baltic Porpoise approach their work in a very systematic way;
the purpose of our project is somewhat different.
Do children (and adults) in Poland know the porpoise as well as they know
the  Killer Whale from  the popular film "Free Willy"?  Do we know about the
place of the porpoise in our own folk culture?  Is shoe polish the only
remaining trace of the Baltic Porpoise in our culture?  We want Poles to
become familiar with the porpoise, to get to know this animals, to become
fond of them and proud of them.  Maybe we will be able to better know this
species and help to scientists in their efforts to protect it.  We also want
to learn more about porpoises in other parts of the Baltic, perhaps in
places where conditions are better for them, perhaps worse.
We began the Porpoise Project during the last week of 1998, and we will
continue to broaden and enrich our conceptions.  We are beginning by
collecting information on the porpoise as it is viewed by artists,
musicians, and environmentalists.

2. The Sweetest Sea in the World

In the middle of 1999 we were offered the opportunity to take part in the
developing and recording music for a nature film about the Baltic Sea.  This
was an interesting proposal since the music was to be based on natural
sounds and the voices of sealife, often referred to as "ambient and
environmental music." 
We were also aware of the mythic connections of people with dolphins and
seals.  For example, Apollo, the Greek god of the sun and music, is often
associated with dolphins.  This connection stemmed from the connection that
dolphins were animals who possessed a great love for music.   Seals, on the
other hand, were considered the only animal never to be struck by
lightening.  Wearing a sealskin was also supposed to protect a person from
being stuck.  Seals are often thought of as one of the animals who are the
mythical forebears of people.  According to a legend from the Faeroe
Islands, on every ninth night a seal casts off its skin, and taking human
form, dances on the shore until dawn . . .  The beautiful film "The Secret
of Roan Inish" is based on an Irish legend about a seal who takes to the
form of a woman, has a relationship with a man, bears children, and
eventually returns to the sea.    
After two seasons we had collected two albums recounting sounds of the sea.
The film, "Najslodsze morze swiata" ("The Sweetest Sea in the World") was
divided into ten parts and aired on Polish television in June of 2000.
Before the end of this recording process, we were invited to attend a film
production on the Baltic.  I remember my first glimpse of the film site near
the University of Gdansk Sea Station in Hel.  From a distance it looked like
the landing of a UFO.  A large glass pyramid was lit up from the inside by
lasers,  Robert Balinski's team and Apple Productions ran around on the
beach outside of the pyramid. 
The glass tank was light up by multicolored lights and Dr. Krzysztof Skóra
was acting as nature guide.  This event left a big impression on us.
Another significant experience occurred later when the team invited us to
the fokarium ("sealarium"), a large museum-like building with landing slopes
for seals.  Most of the animals that end up at the fokarium are found by
fishermen, usually wounded and often young.  It all began with a seal named
Balbina who was rescued by personnel from the sea station in Hel.  Her first
dwelling at the site was a small pool, and her first practical joke was
that, after being given the name "Balbina," she turned out to be a he.  The
construction of the fokarium has been underway already for several years,
and the time is nearing when seals will be reintroduced on the Hel Peninsula. 
In our opinion, we were able to establish contact with the seals by
imitating their sounds.   We did this by making use of instruments that
sounded similar to the sounds seals make.  The sound of the dideridoo seemed
to appeal to them the most.  They began to express themselves by making
their own noises: droning and bubbling sounds, howls, wails.  Seals are
especially social creatures and working with them was an absolute pleasure
(aside from the cold weather).
When we showed up in Hel, in June of 2000, it was stormy; black clouds
appeared over dark waves in the Baltic.  From time to time, the clouds gave
way to sun and the sea would become suddenly green.   The seals were not as
chatty as they had been in the winter, but we had more time to spend there.
We began with the tedious task of recording  various underwater sounds.
They were quite different from the range of sounds the seals produced above
water.  We visited the first mate of a fishing boat to inquire about the
weather forecast. 
We sat on the beach to listen to the sea, the gulls, and the bells from the
townhall.  The storm subsided, the sun came out and we saw more of the seals.
Our meeting with the seals and with the "mysteriously absent" porpoises
became something more than an ordinary music session.  The porpoises were
not, in fact, totally absent.  There traces were everywhere in the library
and the workshops of the Sea Station, where we were staying
I once saw and film that showed porpoises frolicking in the Norwegian
fjords, it left a deep impression on me.  Small groups of porpoises swam in
the peaceful waters.   . .  They looked like small dolphins, one thing that
differentiates them is that they do not leap above  the water.  The call of
the porpoise is a series of clicks, sounding much like a kind of "code."
With our heads full of thoughts, we returned home to listen to the
recording and to prepare for the studio recording session. 

3. Two Worlds

We worked very quickly and the preliminary recordings were completed within
a couple of days.  Our recording work was made possible due to new
technology in recording sounds from electronic instruments.  However, it
became apparent that work on this album would take considerable time--but
this time was very productive for us, we learned a great deal, including how
to come to terms with our own self-centeredness.  
##########################################
Janusz A. Korbel
stowarzyszenie "Pracownia na rzecz wszystkich istot"
miesiecznik DZIKIE ZYCIE
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konto "Pracowni": PKO Bielsko-Biala 10201390-173889-270
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